Electric clock



Oct. 23, 1934. le..v R. JULIAN 1,978,311

ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed Jan.,4, 1933 s sheets-sheet 2 mvENToR 71 M f/f f C l i l ATToRuNEY Oct 23, 1934- B. R. JULIAN 1,978,311

ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed Jan. 4, 1953 3 Sheets-Shea?I 3 mvENTo WITNEssEs jiji'. Ju m11 Famed Oct. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE lzmc'r'nrccnocx Y maman.Julian,oimmnvmn.

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This invention relates to power mechanisms and particularly to an improved power mechanismandassociateddevicformingparto'fan electric clock, the object being to provide an improved construction wherein a dry cell or other smallsourceofelectric supplymaybeusedto operate a clock or other device for comparatively long periods at a certain rate.

Another object of the invention is to provide l0 an electrically driven power element, and means for taking power therefrom at a rate which will operate a clock at the proper rate for keeping accurate time.

A further object, more specifically, is to pro vide a power element wherein a balance wheel is v used for storing the energy secured from an electricmotorandwhereincertainpartsareassociated therewith for giving oil this energy at a certainrate,thepartsbeingsoformed thatthe electric motor will function at spaced intervals to maintain the operation of-the balance wheel.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a view partly in section illustrating an embodiment of the invention including the connection with a clock mechanism;

4Figureiiisatopplanviewofthemotor'and associated parts shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through Figure approximately on the line 3 3;

Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of a hit-andmiss governor or contact closing mechanism;

Figure Sisaviewsimilar toFigure4butshowing t he parts in a diilerent position;

Figureisaviewsimilartotheupperpart ofFigures4and-5, but showing thepartsin a third position;

Figure 7 is a schematic viewv showing certain parts as a diagram. illustrating the circuit of the electric motor;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing how the device may be connected to a clock having a pendulum; and Y Figure9isaviewsimilar toFigure 8butshowlng the parts in a different position.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 indicates a clock casing of any desred kind, and' 2 a clock dial of any desired kind. Theminute and hour hands 3 and 4 may be of the usual preferred kind, while the second hand 5 is preferably formed as substantially shown in Figure 1 though it could be formed otherwise and connected to the shaft 6 which is preferably solid. The connection with shaft 6 may be in any demeans forming an electric clock which includes sired manner provided the hand 5 rotates con' tinually therewith. A sixty-toothed gear wheel 7 is rigidly connected to the shaft 8 and when it rotatesthe shaftwithhand willalso rotate. Aociatedwith the shaftandhandarethe minute and hour hands 3 and 4 which are mount- 0o ed on suitable tubular shafts connected with suitable gearing now in common use in clocks. These tubular members and gearings are connected in theusualwaynowincommonuseinclocksto shaft so thatasshaftrotatesonce aminute, theminute hand 3 will move once over the dial each hour, and the hour hand 4 will move the proper distance each hour. A weighted pawl 10, as shown in Figure l, acts to prevent the toothed or ratchet wheel 'I from rotating in a reverse di- 7u rection, while a gravity actuated pawl 1l causes the toothed wheel '7 to rotate at the desired speed. which is one revolution per minute. Pawl 11 is pivotally mounted at 12 on arm 13 which is shown as integral with the cross bar 14 through it could 75 be made separate and rigidly secured thereto. 'I'he cross bar 14 is rotatably mounted on shaft 8 and is counterbalanced by the adjustable weight 15 so as to normally hold the parts as shown in Fig. 1. When the parts are moved from this poso sition by rod 1B, the weight 15 will cause an automatic return as soon as rod 16 is released, thus causing arm 13 to move back and forth at the proper speed to rotate the toothed wheel 'I once each minute. The weight 15 tends to hold the lever 13 and associated parts in the position shown in Figure 1 and to move them back to this position whenever permitted. Rod 16 is pivotally connected to the end of bar 14 opposite the weight 15, said rod extending down to the arm 1'1 to which it is pivotally connected. This arm extends from the leverl which is pivotally mounted at 19 on a stationary or iixed bracket 20. A roller 22 is carried by the free end of lever 18 and preferably continually contacts with the -cam 23 so that upon each revolution of the cam 23 the roller 22 and lever 18 will be moved outwardly and then back again. This complete cycle causes the rod 16 .to be pulled and the pawl 11 to move the toothed member 7 a. distance of one tooth, which is one-sixtieth of a revolution. 'I'his movement will cause the second hand 5 to move a distance equal to one second on the dial 2. During the-operation of the device thisaction is repeated every second, and, consequently, the second hand 5 is caused to make a complete revolution every minute and through well-known shafts and gearing (not shown) to move the hands 3 and 4 at the proper rate. An adjusting or set screw 24 is carried by the bracket or standard 20 110 23 slightly when in the position shown in Figure 1. However, when the cam makes a one-half revo` lution, the power from the cam must be sufncient to move the lever against the action of the weight 15, and also the power must be sufficient to move .the various parts just described. The cam 23 is rigidly secured to -thepower shafts 25, which is shown particularly in Figures@ and 3. This shaft is supported in suitable ball bearing structures 26 and 27. These structures may be of any standard type. or of any special type, so as to support the shaft 25 and the parts mounted thereon with a minimum of friction. Itis, of course, evident that if jewel or other bearings are desired, the same may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. though for most purposes ball bear.- ings are preferable.

A power or balance wheel 28 is rigidly secured to the shaft 25, the same acting in a certain sense as a power wheel for storing up energy from an electric motor 29 and then giving out the power as needed. Itis understood that shaft 25 and power wheel 28 are accurately balanced so as to readily receive power and to retain the same for an appreciable time. A spring 30 functioning similarly to a hair spring in the balance wheel of a watch or clock, is rigidly secured to shaft 25 and also adjustably secured to stud 30', while the regulator pins 31 are rigidly secured to a lever 32 swingably mounted on the bearing structure 27. A nut 33 mounted on the bearing structure 27 acts to clamp the lever 32 so that it is held frictionally against movement but may readily be moved by a person grasping the extension 34, and exerting some appreciable power thereon, whereby the action of the balance spring 30 may be varied to secure the desired result, namely, the proper back and forth movement of the power wheel 28 and associated parts. The parts are so proportioned that the power wheel 28 is adapted to .rotate in one direction for one second and then rotate in the other direction for one second. The motor 29 as hereinafter fully described only gives an impulse to the power wheel 28 at spaced intervals and, consequently, the power wheel rotates a greater distance for part of the time than some other of the time, but when it rotates a great distance the movement is at a higher speed and,

- consequently, the result is that the clock mechanism shown in Figure 1 will be operated at the desired speed.

As illustrated particularly in Figures 3 and 7, the motor 29 consists of electro-magnets 35 and 36 having field terminals 37 and 38 between which' armature 39 is positioned. A strap 40 connects these terminals mainly for the purpose of providing a strong mechanical structure, and at the bottom a magnetic bar 41 connects the magnets so that the ilux may iiow properly when the magnets have been energized.

'I'he armature 39 is rigidly secured to the power shaft 25 in any suitable manner and is substantially in the position shown in Figure 7 when the power wheel 28 has rotated'in one direction for substantially its complete travel. It will also and causes the roller 22 to bear against the cam wheel 2s through the action of the armature se. If more power is needed a stronger current may be used, or the parts can be arranged so that the.

tioning current will flow from the battery or otherv source of current 42 and pass through wire 43 by a binding post 4 4, the windings of the respective magnets 35 and 36, through wire 45, wire 46, contact blade 47, contact 48, cam 49, and from thence to the ground which is represented by wires 50 and 51. To prevent any sparking between the contact 48 and the cam 49 a resistance 52 is provided 'in a parallel circuit, and also in the same parallel circuit is arranged a condenser 53. This structure takes care7 of any sparking so that the contact 40 will remain in good condition for an indefinite time. Where an ordinary flash light or dry cell is used the resistance 52 is 75 ohms, or possibly a little more or a little less. The condenser 53 may be of any desired size as, for instance, 1 M. F. D. It will be understood that only one impulse will be given to the armature 39 when the circuit of the magnets 35 and 36 are closed as the circuits are only closed for a very short time. As illustrated particularly in Figures 4 to 7, there is provided what may be termed a hit-and-miss governor or contact closing mechanism 54 whereby the contact 48 is moved into the path of movement of the cam 49 when the power wheel 29 slows down to a certain extent. The cam 49 is formed integral with or rigidly secured to the power shaft 25 and, consequently, continually moves therewith. As illustrated in Figure 4, the contact spring 47 is mounted between insuiating plates 55 and 56 carried by the extension 57 of contact arm 58, 4which arm is provided with a pair of ears 59 straddiing the upper end of the bracket 60 so that the pintle or pivot pin 61 may connect the ears to the bracket 60. An adjusting screw 62 is carried by the bracket 60 for limiting the swinging movement of the extension 57 to the left, as shown in Figure 4, and also limiting the downwardly swinging movement of the arm 58. 'I'he bracket 60 is secured to any stationary part of the device by one or more suitable clamping screws 63. Arm 58 is provided with a friction member 64 secured to the arm in any suitable manner as, for instance, by having the portion 65 bent around the member 64 to clamp the same in place. A friction contact 66 is likewise secured to the lever 67, said lever beingA pivotally mounted at 68 to a bracket 69 secured to a suitable support by screw4 70. An adjusting screw 71 is carried by the bracket 60 and extends to a position to limit the swinging movement of lever 67, as clearly shown in Figure 4.

Lever 67 is provided with a pair of ears 72 which carry a rotatable roller 73 arranged near and substantially in horizontal alignment with the shaft 25, when the lever 67 is in a substantially vertical position. 'I'he roller 73 is arranged near enough to the shaft 25 so that if the cam 49 passes the vsaine it will push the lever 67 to the-right, as

shown in Figure 4, .and consequently move the parts to the position shown in Figure 6. When thecampassesthepartswill againassumethe position shown in Figure 4. This action is carried out until the power wheel 28 has slowed down toa aman shown in Figure 4, whenever desired. It willbe notedthatcam49whenitswingstotheright or as indicated by the arrow 74, arm 58 will be raised and lever 67 will be pushed to the right but 'when the cam 49 moves. in a-reverse direction, namely,'according to the arrow 80 l(Figure 5). it will permit the lever 87 to swing to the leftandwlllswingthslink76 totheleftidlyand will pass contact 48 without engagement if the parts assume the position shown in Figure 4. However, if the power wheel 28 has shortened its travel by reason of having utilized its power .during the various oscillations, the cam 49 will move only to the position shown in Figure 5 and, consequentlywill not swing lever 67 to the right. If the cam 49 moves to the position shown in Figure 5 and then swing in a reverse direction, as indicated by the arrow 80, it will immediately strike the contact 48 as illustrated in Figure 7, and the circuit of the motor 29 will be closed. As soon as this occurs armature 39 will be given a pull and power therefrom will be transmitted to the shaft 25 to the power wheel 28 to increase the travel of this wheel, thus causing the next movement of the cam 49 to be such that the cam will engage wheel 73 as shown in Figure 8 and move the lever 67 from beneath arm 58, thus allowing this arm to drop and also the contact 48 to move out of the path of movement of cam 49.

If the cam 49 should move farther than the position shown in Figure 6, it will do no harm but will merely pass roller 73 from the downward position to a reverse movement.V By reason of the construction just described it will be seen that the shaft 25 and parts connected therewith will oscillate back and forth freely under the momentum of the wheel 28 until this movement has died down suilciently to cause the cam 49 to stop before it can push roller 73 sufficiently to cause lever 67 to move from beneath the arm 58. When this occurs a return movement of cam 49 will close the circuit of the motor 29 so that a new impulse will be given to the power wheel 28.

In the shown in the accompany--i ingdrawingsandwiththewheelmadeofbrass and o( the proportion illustrated, there will be an impulse given bythe motor at certain spaced intervalswhichdependsoneeveral factomfor instaneemnthestrelnthofthebettcrxthefrictionofthe partsandtheworktobeperformed. However, the parts will function continually and everysecondthetoothedwheel'lwiilbemoved adistanceofonetooth. Itis,ofcourse,under stoodthatthespeedofshaftmaybevaried by moving lever 32 and further adjusting spring 30 whichacts astheusualhairspring in awatch orsmall clock.,1n thiswaythepartscanbeso regulated that the oscillations will accurately measure the time and, consequently, the clock illustratedinligurelwillfunctionaccuratelyin keeping time.

Whilethedeviceisintendedforuseineonnection with a dry cell, it is, of course, understood that a storage battery or other source of current may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. By using only an electric impulseatspacedintervals,onlyaverysmall amount of current is used and, in fact. substantiallyallof thecnergyproducedbythesource o: current is useniuy utilized;

The device has been shown as forming part of a clock without a pendulum, but if desired it can be connected to a clock having a pendulum. When thisis done the parts are arranged as indicated inFigures8and9.A Theshaft25 showninthese mures is rigidly secured to the pendmumai 110 which may be of any desired kind. its shaft 25 oscillates the pendulum will also oscillate, and when the oscillations die down to a certain extent the circuit will be closed as indicated in Figure 7, sothatanewimpulsewillbegiventoshaft 25115 and power wheel 28, whereby the pendulum will be given an additional swing. As illustrated in these two figures, there is provided an Aarm 58' pivotally mounted at 82 and provided with an extension 57' which carries a spring contact 47'. 1 'Ihis contact is insulated from the extension 57 but connected with a wire 46, as shown in Figure 7. The spring contact 57' is provided with`a contact' 48 at the outer end, the same being adapted to engage a bar or pin 83 having a contact section 125 84 to engage the contact 48'. This bar or pin` is carried by the pendulum 81, and when the parts are in the position shown in Figure 8. the circuit of the magnets 35 and 36 are closed. When this occurs an additional impulse will be given the 180 pendulum 81 and the pendulum will swing over to the left, as shown in Figure 9, and strike the vertical leg 85 of bellcrank lever 86 for raisingV the lower leg 87. Bell crank lever 86 is pivotally supported at 88 on a stationary or xed object and 135 the lower leg 87 is limited in its downward movement by an adjusting screw 89. A bell crank lever 90 coacts with lever 88 and is provided with a lower leg 91' and a vertical leg 92. When leg 87 moves upwardly leg 91 consequently swings 140 vertical leg 92 to the right so that the arm 58' may drop down by gravity so that when the pin or bar 83 swings to the right from the position shown in Figure 9 it will miss the contact 48' but will strike the roller 75 and swing the link 76', whereupon 145 arm 58 will be raised and arm 58' and leg 92 will assume the position shown in Figure 8. However, the momentum of pendulum 81 will carry the pin 82 over to the dotted position shown in Figure 9, and consequently this pin will strike the leg 92 and swing the same to the right, whereupon arm 58' will drop down to the position shown in Figure 9 and contact 48' will be moved out of the path of travel of pin 88 so that when this pin swings back again to the left it will pass idly under the link 76' and will again strike the leg 85. This action continues until lthe pendulum 81 slows down suillciently that pin 82 when moved to the right, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 9, will not strike leg 92. Consequently, this leg will remain under arm 58' and the contact 48' will remain elevated so that onAits return trip to theI left it will strike the contact 48' as shown in Figure 8 and will close the circuit of the electric motor 29. In this way at spaced intervals the pendulum will be given an extra impulse to make the same swing to a greater extent and at a slightly higher rate of speed. It will thus be seen that the pin 83 will alternately strike legs 85 and 92, but when the time comes that it does not strike leg 92 the return movement results in a closing of the circuit by engagement of pin 83 with contact 48. After the engagement as just described the pendulum 81 will continue its travel to the left until it strikes the leg 85, whereupon contact 48 drops downwardly so that on its return trip to the right it will not be engaged. It will be observed that the power structure shown in Fig. 2 will operate to transmit almost all the power which it receives from the source of current and, as described, this power is transmitted intermittently. This power as transmitted can be used for many purposes, but the parts have been particularlyl adapted for transmitting power to a clock mechanism to cause the hands of the clock to run at the proper speed without the usual power spring of the clock or the usual escapement. 'I'he power wheel 28 and associated partsact both as a power transmitting means and as an escapement.

I claimf 1. A power device for clocks including a sixtytoothed wheel adapted to be connected to the second hand of a clock, a paw] for preventing reverse rotation of said wheel, a pawl for causing rotation i of said wheel in a given direction, a rod and lever for actuating said pawl, a pivotally mounted lever for actuating said rod, said lever being provided with a roller at one end, an oscillating camv positioned to engage said roller to move the same and the last mentioned lever, a spring for moving both said lever and rod back to their former position after each movement, and means for actuating said cam so that it will engage said roller and4 move the same once each second.

2. 4 device of the character described, including an oscillating shaft, electromagnets for imparting an impulse to said shaft from time to time to sustain its oscillations, and a combined switch and contact governor for said `electromagnetsl said switch being interposed in the circuit of said electro-magnets, said contact governor being actuated by said shaft, said contact governor including a cam operated by said shaft, and also means actuated by said cam for causing the switch to Y engage the cam at spaced intervals for closing said circuit.`

3. In a device of the character described an electric switch, a governor coacting with said switch, said switch having a contact member, saidgovernor including a cam positioned to contact with said contact member when the parts are in a given position, a-Swinging arm carrying one contact of said switch, said cam forming the other contact of said switch .a pivotally mounted lever, means including a link actuated vtending from said lever to be engaged by said cam when the same has been moved av predetermined distance for moving the lever away from said cam whereby the arm will move downwardly and said. contact member will also move downwardlyI from the pathof travel of said cam.

4. In a device of the charac/ter described, a switch, a switch arm, a camjadapted to be moved to engage said switch arm when the switch arm is in a predetermined position whereby the circuit including said switch will be closed, a pivotally mounted arm carrying said switch arm and normally holding the same out of engagement with said cam, means actuated by said cam for raising said switch arm to a point within the travel of said cam, a lever for holding said pivotally mounted arm so that said switch arm will beheld at a point within the travel of said cam, and means actuated by said cam when the same moves to a predetermined position for moving the lever for releasing the pivotally mounted arm.

5. In a device of the character described, a switch and a governor therefor comprising ja standard, a pivotally mounted arm carried by said standard and having thereon a contact arm, 1N

an oscillating cam forming the other contact of said'switch positioned to engage the contact on said contact arm when the contact arm has been raised a predetermined distance and to pass the contact when the same has been lowered to a predetermined point, a link actuated by said cam for raising said pivotally mounted arm and also swinging said contact arm, a pivotally mounted lever normally having one end resting against the end of said pivotally mounted arm, said lever being positioned to move beneath said pivotally' mounted arm when the pivotally mounted arm is raised. whereby said arm is prevented from being lowered, and means carried by said lever positioned to be actuated by said cam for releasing said pivotally mounted arm from said lever when the cam has traveled a predetermined distance whereby when said cam does not travel said predetermined distance said pivotally mounted arm and contact arm will remain in elevated position and said cam will engage the contact arm for closing the circuit.

6.- In a driving mechanism forclocks having pendulums, a rock shaft connected to the pendulum at the pivotal point thereof, and acting to swing the pendulum, electromagnetic means for rocking said shaft, aycircuit for said electromagnetic means including a source of current, a contact pin carried by said pendulum, a contact, a pivotally mounted arm carrying said contact, means carried by said arm positioned to be actuated by said pin for raising the arm and said contact when the pin swings away from the contact, the raising of the contact being sufficient to cause said contact pin to engage the contact on its return movement a bell crank lever positioned to swing beneath said arm when-the same has been raised, said bell crank lever being in the path of movement of said pin so as to be moved by the pin from beneath said arm when the pendulum and pin move a predetermined distance in one direction whereby said arm and contact will move downwardly under the action of gravity, said downward movement of said contact being sunlcient to cause the same to be out 150 of the path oi movement of said contact pin, and a second bell crank lever, having one arm continually in the path of movement of said pin, said second bell crank lever being positioned to swing the iirst mentioned bell crank lever to ward an inoperative position to be actuated by said pin when the pin strikes the arm thereof, said second bell crank lever functioning immediately after said pin has engaged the contact said first mentioned lever being restored to operative posiitrilon by gravity when said arm is raised by said D 1. In a control mechanism for a clock provided with a pendulum, a rock shaft, electromagnetic means for rocking said rock shaft and sitioned on said arm so as to be engaged by said pin as it moves to an extreme position in one direction when the ends of the arm have been swung upwardly, means actuated by said link for causing the link to raise the respective ends of v said pivotally mounted arm when the link is moved in one direction by said pin, a pair of pivotally mounted bell crank levers positioned so that one of the legs of the respective levers will` overlap, one of said levers being positioned to move by gravity to a position with one of its legs beneath said arm when the arm is raised, theI other bell crank lever having one leg thereof in the path of movement of said pin whereby when the pin swings to one extreme position it will engage said contact during said swinging movement and then strike said other lever and move the same a certain distance, said other lever in turn moving the first mentioned lever to a position away from said arm whereby the arm will move downwardly by gravity, said contact on said arm moving downwardly out of the path or movement of the pin on its return stroke.

BERTRAND R; JULIAN. 

